Does anyone use leveling kits on there super dutys?
What brand is good?
Tuff Country, Fabtech, Daystar, Rancho, Donahoe Racing?
Also when I get the leveling kit do I have to have it realigned?
Thanks ~Gage~

 

Hi Gage,

My suggestion (politely) to you is to do some searching in alll the available forums prior to posting your questions. The answer to most, if not all of your questions most likely will have been addressed either here or elsewhere.

 

I had a 2.5" tuff country kit in my last SD.It makes the front end much stiffer.It was good for me especially when I had my plow on. I had a allignment done after installation.

 

I just put the Fabtech 3.5 leveling kit on mine this weekend. I liked the Fabtech because it uses new spring hangers and shackles, keeping the stock springs so it still rides like stock.

 

prernrgod

Can you post or email me pics of your finished truck. I 'm thinking fabtech 3.5 on my "new" O4. How was the install? What size tires are you running?

Thanks
Mike

 

Mike check out my gallery. I have before and after lift pics. Let me know if you have any questions.

 

Gage I am against leveling kits for one simple reason... I buy big assed trucks to haul big assed loads. if you level up the front end by lowering the rear (easiest) or raisin the front...then when you hang 900 to 1500 LBs of tongue or pin weight on the back side the head lights are pointing at the moon!

If you got a neat cruiser truck and only plan to bar hop and grocery git...then go for it! Of course you can level the beast and then also add a set of FireStone air bags to the rear to correct for the level with a load on... your money

 

I put a leveling kit in my 05 and as Fred says, when towing or hauling, the *** end is down. I can't stand that look !! so I added a leaf to the back and I was able to fit 36x13.5 tires on it with just a bit of trimming. I would recomend the 35x12.5 tires, you won't have to modify anything (with the correct rim). As to your question about alignment, since this is a solid axle truck, there is no alignment adjustments necessary. See my gallery for a couple of pics, I think the truck really stands out with the extra beef under it.

You will need to get rims if you go into the 12.5" width range. I'm running 17x10" rims. Also I find that the truck rides much nicer with the larger tires because of the extra give in the rubber. Not so harsh over potholes and washboard roads.

See ya..

 

Fred I would agree with you if all you do is haul or tow, but if you plow or run empty a fair amount the nose down stance can be down right dangerous. Too much weight is on the front of the truck and it is very easy to swap ends in an emergency situation. I don't know why people think it is alright to race me to an exit and cut me off when I have an 8-foot blade hanging out in front during a snow storm. I plow more than anything else with the truck and it has improved the handling and performance of the truck. I use to get some rear wheel hop while I was plowing before the leveling kit was installed and that is gone now. Yeah I could throw some ballast in the bed for when I plow, but I haul stuff almost every week so why would I want to empty the ballast everytime to haul stuff??

When I bought the truck I thought I was going to go back into road racing and would be towing more than what I do now. Haven't had the time or money to do that so rarely do I tow. If I do start towing more and the rear sags I am going the air bag route so as to not upset the balance of the truck for plowing. Just a different and more functional reason to leveling a truck. Us plow guys don't get no respect.

 

I do not believe for one minute that IF the snow plow prep package is installed you need to level the truck to make it more safe... sorry but I have driven quite a few F350s where the owner thought that the super heavy duty snow plow preped front end was a good idea knowing he never intended to add the weight of a plow up front. Talk about beat you to death ride! Add to that the camper cert (heaver spring rates in back) and you have a 7800LB "Duce 'n a Half" that is not any fun to drive... empty!

No, I have no problems with lifting, leveling or any thing else...all I want to do is give folks a reasonable chance to consider all the implications of this or that modification.

Buying the truck to plow with? Then get the prep package and that gives you the up graded front spring rates...add a half ton of sand in the back and you are back level.... as designed... with your lights properly aimed and plenty of front and rear traction. (been there, done that...liver in Fridley Minnesota a while back and plowed plenty of roads). Most of the folks I see out in WDC plowing with theF250/350 series have way too much plow hung on the front...you are aware there is a limit to how big a blade and how fancy a blade hydraulic system can safely be Right? (hint, if you stay with in the factory Plow size and weight limits you never need to further alter the suspension)

IMO, lifting the front is about a "look" more then any thing else...of course there are exceptions, like many times the 2x4 coil sprung front end needs a little help...but don't fool you self into thinking a leveled truck is any safer, or that a factory set up is unsafe...'taint so.

ronin007, I hear you and most of this is not aimed at you...your post just reminded me of an argument I had out in WDC last winter... and you are right, if you can't or don't want the rear ballast, then a leveling kit can help a lot.

 

Fred totally understood. I do have the plow prep package (x-springs and all) and the truck sat stock with a 3.5 inch rake front to rear. I run a Western 8-foot Pro plow which weighs in around 700 lbs. Lift that and the front would sink another 1/2 inch making the front 4 inches lower than the back. Too much weight transfer for what I like. I use to road race and like a balanced vehicle so went with the leveling kit. For my use and how I use my truck I find it handles better and performs better. Like I said, I haul stuff in my bed weekly so having to load and unload the ballast everytime is not an option.

I went round and round on if I should do this as I agree with your statements. It just seemed the correct solution for how I am currently using my truck. If I was towing more I probably would have done something different, but currently I only tow a utility trailer so it is sort of a non-issue at this point for me.